]]>Be sure to enter the discount code: CPR-Arden Moore if you sign up for the online Pro Pet Hero course and save 10 percent!

In a pet emergency, minutes count and that’s why these rivals are combining forces to save the lives of more cats and dogs.

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) – April 18, 2017

In mere minutes, a dog can bleed out from an arterial wound. A curious kitten can choke on a stringed toy and stop breathing. Knowing what to do in the minutes following a pet emergency could save a pet’s life.

That’s why two nationally recognized pet safety companies – Pro Pet Hero and Pet First Aid 4U – are partnering to broaden their overall reach when educating pet professionals and pet owners about the importance of learning pet first aid and CPR. Their alignment is especially timely since it occurs during April, which is designated as Pet First Aid Awareness Month.

Pro Pet Hero offers an online pet first aid/CPR course taught by Bobbi Conner, DVM, a veterinarian board-certified in emergency medicine. Pet First Aid 4U is a veterinarian-endorsed, in-person course featuring a live cat-dog duo. Upon completion in either program, students earn two-year certificates as well as continuing education units.

Many would consider the two programs rivals, but leaders for both companies see the value in teaming up to deliver the message of learning pet first aid to benefit millions of cats and dogs.

“One of the best ways to be your pet’s best health ally is to take a pet first aid class,” says Arden Moore, founder of Pet First Aid 4U and a master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor. “Pro Pet Hero and Pet First Aid 4U share the mutual goal of teaching practical skills to stabilize an injured or ill pet and safely transporting them to the nearest veterinary clinic. Getting the message out about how to take care of our pets in a medical emergency is of utmost importance to both companies.”

Cara Armour, product manager and blogger for Pro Pet Hero, is also a master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor. Pro Pet Hero is part of ProTrainings, an international company that has trained more than 1,000,000 students in human first aid, CPR and other health and safety continuing education courses.

“The merging of our two programs offers pet professionals, including pet sitters, dog walkers, groomers and boarding staff, the choice of how to learn pet first aid: online or in person,” says Armour. “Pets are beloved members of our families in America and knowing pet first aid and CPR should be a priority among pet professionals and caring pet parents. We at Pro Pet Hero know that we can reach more people with this important message by joining forces with Pet First Aid 4U.”

To kick off the partnership, Moore invited Armour as a special guest on her Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. The award-winning podcast reaches more than 750,000 listeners worldwide. To listen to the pet first aid-focused episode, click here.

The two organizations will be working collaboratively to increase the standard of pet first aid/CPR education as well as making it more accessible to pet lovers who want to learn pet first aid.

About Pet First Aid 4U: This in-person, pet first aid/CPR and safety course covers the latest protocols approved by a team of leading veterinarians. Students receive detailed course books, get to practice many pet first aid skills on Pet Safety Cat Casey and Pet Safety Dog Kona and earn certificates valid for two years. The five-hour course is also customized for pet professionals. Click here to learn more.

About Pro Pet Hero: This online pet first aid/CPR and safety course is led by Bobbi Conner, DVM, through video-based learning. This course is designed to allow students to take it at the pace and place of their choosing. Students are tested and upon completion, they can download the course manual, print their nationally accepted certificates and have access to the full course for review for two years. Click here to learn more.

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/pet-first-aid-4u-pro-pet-hero-team-offer-broader-pet-first-aid-training-options-pet-professionals-pet-owners/feed/0Ruffwear to the Rescue for Arden and Her Pets’ 2,800-mile Road Triphttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/ruffwear-rescue-arden-pets-2800-mile-road-trip/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/ruffwear-rescue-arden-pets-2800-mile-road-trip/#respondFri, 30 Sep 2016 20:37:19 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2363As The Pet Health and Safety Coach, I spend a lot of time on the road with Pet Safety Cat Casey and Pet Safety Dog Kona. Occasionally, Cleo, my 14-year-old retired K9 surfer, joins us. For all of us who travel with our pets, one way to stay sane –and safe — is to pack […]

]]>As The Pet Health and Safety Coach, I spend a lot of time on the road with Pet Safety Cat Casey and Pet Safety Dog Kona. Occasionally, Cleo, my 14-year-old retired K9 surfer, joins us. For all of us who travel with our pets, one way to stay sane –and safe — is to pack the right pet essentials.

So, on a recent five-week, 2,800-mile round trip from Dallas to San Diego where we conducted several pet behavior and pet first aid classes, I made sure that my SUV contained these two Ruffwear products:

The Ruffwear Haul Bag: Water-resistant and roomy with a sturdy zipper, this pet travel bag easily held all the pet food, leashes, doggy potty bags, grooming wipes and favorite toys for my four-legged travel mates. It was the ideal size and didn’t take up a lot of cargo space. And, I used its outside pockets to stash items I needed to need quickly: doggy bags, bag of treats, bottled water and collapsible water bowl. Keeping all the pet stuff in one bag made transporting luggage into the hotel rooms each night so much more convenient

The Ruffwear Hydro Plane High-Floating Disc: To break up the monotony during those long road trips, I made sure to pack Kona’s favorite toy — this durable, lightweight disc. Kona is a two-year-old Jack Russell terrier mix who needs –and deserves — to s-t-r-e-t-c-h her legs and engage in mini-play sessions during road trips. Each time we found a safe place for her to run, I would hurl the Hydro Plane in the air and watch with amusement as Kona sprinted, leaped to catch it and then wrestle it to the ground with great glee. I like that this disc is gentle on her mouth and can even float for times when we are at dog-friendly beaches.

To learn more about these and other quality Ruffwear products, click here. And, to book us to come to your group to teach pet first aid classes or give dog/cat behavior talks, contact Arden Moore at arden@fourleggedlife.com.

Gotta go — it’s time for Kona, Casey and I to hit the road again!

Pet Safety Cat Casey and Pet Safety Dog Kona make sure that I have packed treats for them inside this Ruffwear Haul Bag.

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/ruffwear-rescue-arden-pets-2800-mile-road-trip/feed/0Nap time is ah…..so great in a TrustyPup Bedhttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/nap-time-ah-great-trustypup-bed/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/nap-time-ah-great-trustypup-bed/#respondFri, 30 Sep 2016 15:49:35 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2346You know the saying, “Let sleeping dogs lie.” Well, in our pet household, nap time is a prized activity among Kona, Cleo and Jeanne, who range in age from two to 14. Sure, we have sofas and beds, but this Terrific Terrier Trio delighted in taking turns snoozing in the comfy Remedy Rest Deluxe Memory […]

]]>You know the saying, “Let sleeping dogs lie.” Well, in our pet household, nap time is a prized activity among Kona, Cleo and Jeanne, who range in age from two to 14. Sure, we have sofas and beds, but this Terrific Terrier Trio delighted in taking turns snoozing in the comfy Remedy Rest Deluxe Memory Foam Pet Bed made by TrustyPup.

Need evidence? Just check out this series of photos showcasing each dog’s desire to circle, plop and snooze in this bed that features cushions that ease achy joints and conforms to each dog’s shape. Nice!

Other pluses: TrustyPup beds come in various sizes, the covers are machine washable and the beds are not only functional, but eye-appealing as well. With the holidays approaching, treat your favorite canine to one of these beds now available at Walmart, Target, Krogers and online at Amazon.com. And learn more by visiting its Facebook Page. It’s nap time!

Sweet Jeanne plops and sprawls in the TrustyPup bed.

Pet Safety Dog Kona is the first to discover the TrustyPup bed

Miss Cleo, a young 14-year-old, is deep into dreamland in the TrustyPup bed.

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/nap-time-ah-great-trustypup-bed/feed/0Solving Litter “Confetti” on Floor Thanks to Drymate Litter Trapping Mathttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/solving-litter-confetti-floor-thanks-drymate-litter-trapping-mat/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/solving-litter-confetti-floor-thanks-drymate-litter-trapping-mat/#respondThu, 04 Aug 2016 15:54:21 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2327Ever face a challenge that seems like one piece of the solution is missing? That has been my fate since I moved from Oceanside, CA to Allen, TX when it comes to maintaining a tidy bathroom for Pet Safety Cat Casey. Casey is an orange tabby with a growing reputation as the country’s only active […]

]]>Ever face a challenge that seems like one piece of the solution is missing? That has been my fate since I moved from Oceanside, CA to Allen, TX when it comes to maintaining a tidy bathroom for Pet Safety Cat Casey.

Casey is an orange tabby with a growing reputation as the country’s only active (and willing) feline “instructor” who teams up with Pet Safety Dog Kona and I to conduct veterinarian-approved, hands-on pet first aid/CPR and safety classes through our Pet First Aid 4U program.

He sports a bowtie at events and unleashes the charm of a feline George Clooney to everyone of every age he meets. His purr machine seems to be on low throttle. Check him out performing his sit-and-paw greeting to a young kid attending the SPCA of Texas summer camp.

Yes, Casey sports smarts and good manners — until it is time to use the litter box. He seems to thrive in spreading the litter like confetti all over my wooden floor. That brings me back to the “challenge” I identified in the beginning of this post. I found myself constantly bringing out my handheld vacuum to suck up the long trail of litter.

In addressing this issue, I first switched out the litter boxes from an open box to one with a dome lid. He must walk up a miniature set of stairs to enter the spot inside to do his “business.” And, to prevent any odors, I now use Litter Genie, a cat litter disposable system that resembles a baby’s diaper disposal that enables me to scoop of the litter clumps into it, drop it down into a plastic bag and put a lid on it to prevent any odors from escaping.

Still nagging me, however, was how to conquer the litter scattered all over the floor. I tried a plastic litter mat that was sticky and ugly and it woefully failed into containing the litter coming off Casey’s paws each time he exited the litter box. Plus, it had a slippery backing, enabling Casey to knock it all over the floor and far from the litter box.

Then I heard about a new product called the Drymate Litter Trapping Matwhen I was attending the BlogPaws/Cat Writers Association conference held outside of Phoenix, AZ. The manufacturer sent me a pair of mats to test.

I placed down the 28-by-36-inch gray mat down on my wooden floor in front of Casey’s litter box about a month ago. And I am happy to report that there is little to NO litter littering my floor anymore. I also like that this mat is comfortable to walk on bare feet and comes in an attractive soft charcoal color. Made of 100-percent polyester fiber, it features ridges that safely pull litter from your cat’s paws and traps any liquid as well. Check out this pic of Casey displaying (finally) good litter box exiting etiquette:

Cleaning is a breeze. You can easily vacuum or shake off litter into a garbage bag.

It can be cleaned in the washer machine or by hand. Just allow it to air dry.

It is environmentally friendly. The mats are made from recycled plastic bottles.

The backing is waterproof and slip resistant.

As The Pet Health and Safety Coach, a pet behavior consultant and host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio, I am constantly approached about recommending pet products. But I am very choosy – after all, it is my reputation on the line. However, I have no hesitation in recommending you resolve your “litter confetti” syndrome by getting your paws on the Drymate Litter Trapping Mat. It is available at Target stores with retail prices of $19.99 for the 28-by-36 size and $12.99 for the 20-by-28 size. To learn more, visit its site by clicking here.

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/solving-litter-confetti-floor-thanks-drymate-litter-trapping-mat/feed/0Solutions for Your S-t-r-e-s-s-ed Doghttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/arden-moore/solutions-for-your-s-t-r-e-s-s-ed-dog/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/arden-moore/solutions-for-your-s-t-r-e-s-s-ed-dog/#commentsWed, 11 Nov 2015 23:12:47 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2320Sit. Stay. Don’t stress. Good dog! If only helping our dogs avoid negative situations would be as easy as mastering a basic obedience cue. Alas, dogs face stressful situations daily. And they depend on us to develop coping skills to be able to react in a healthy manner. The state of stress in dogs was […]

]]>Sit. Stay. Don’t stress. Good dog! If only helping our dogs avoid negative situations would be as easy as mastering a basic obedience cue.

Alas, dogs face stressful situations daily. And they depend on us to develop coping skills to be able to react in a healthy manner. The state of stress in dogs was one of the key panel discussions featuring leading veterinary and behavior experts at the recent Purina Better with Pets Summit held in New York City.

“Just like us, dogs face good stress and bad stress,” says Marty Becker, DVM, renowned veterinarian and best-selling author who served as this panel’s moderator. “Only when bad stress is chronic does it lead to health problems. Constant stress can be a recipe for illness, depression and a less-than quality of life.”

Some stress is actually good for our dogs, like the stress found in trying to figure out how to get treats out of a food puzzle. It is important to work our dogs’ minds as well as bodies.

Some stress inducers are easy to identify in our dogs, like being inside a crowded waiting room at a veterinary clinic, being chased by a large, aggressive dog off his leash or panting and pacing during a nasty thunderstorm. But as the panelists pointed out, the well-being of some dogs are impacted by stress sources that often go undetected.

Among the surprising stress culprits: flickering florescent lighting, stainless steel veterinary exam room tables and walls painted in bold reds or blues. Even by cranking up the volume on the stereo or television can spike stress in some dogs due to their superior sense of hearing.

How can you tell if your dog is feeling stressed out? Here are some common signs:

Ears pulled back

Lip licking

Pacing

Shaking

Yawning

Tucking in his tail

Clinging to his favorite person

Whining

And, most importantly, remember that our dogs are very good at gauging – and responding to – our moods. They can pick up when we are afraid, anxious or unsure.

“Some dogs suddenly start barking at other dogs on walks the second you get nervous and tighten your grip on the leash,” says Dr. Becker. “Dogs pick up on our emotional cues.”

Fortunately, pet experts are recognizing the impact stress can play on our dogs’ overall health and are taking new steps. As discussed at the Purina summit, here are some innovative stress-busting strategies being adopted:

Opting for pastel, soft blues, pinks and yellows in shelters and veterinary clinics. “Think Easter colors,” says Dr. Becker. Turns out that studies show dogs are calmer in those colored-rooms than ones painted white or bright red, blue or yellow.

Enhancing stainless steel exam tables with adding heated pads for the dog to feel warm and have better footing while being assessed by a veterinarian.

Placing dogs up for adopting at mobile pet events inside cages with horizontal bars instead of vertical ones. It turns out, horizontal bars are less threatening and give dogs better visibility of their surroundings.

Replacing long kennel runs with more living room-like rooms for dogs at shelters. New evidence suggest that kennel runs unintentionally trigger repetitive behavior (running back and forth, and soiling or spinning) that heightens stress levels in these dogs.

Encouraging people pressed for time to agree to be a shelter volunteer by spending 15 minutes sitting quietly in a room with a dog up for adoption. Experts are discovering that this quiet 15-minute interaction helps lower stress in some shelter dogs.

Replacing florescent lights with soft LED lights. It turns out that dogs are not only irritated and stressed by the flickering florescent lighting, but are also agitated by the noise these lights make.

Heather Lewis, an animal arts architect who is among the innovative pioneers re-designing veterinary clinics and shelters all over the country, shares this take-home message:

“We have an opportunity and challenge to make life better for all animals, including those in the shelter and our pets,” says Lewis. “it is vital to think about environment from the animal’s perspective.”

About the Author: Arden Moore, The Pet Health and Safety Coach, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first aid instructor and host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. And, she has written more than two dozen dog and cat books. Learn more at www.fourleggedlife.com.

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/arden-moore/solutions-for-your-s-t-r-e-s-s-ed-dog/feed/1Pet First Aid 4U Prepares You to Handle Real-World Pet Emergencies — Even When a Pet First Aid Kit is NOT Handyhttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/pet-first-aid-4u-prepares-you-to-handle-real-world-pet-emergencies-even-when-a-pet-first-aid-kit-is-not-handy/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/pet-first-aid-4u-prepares-you-to-handle-real-world-pet-emergencies-even-when-a-pet-first-aid-kit-is-not-handy/#respondFri, 11 Sep 2015 19:45:10 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2311Your dog cuts his paw during a hike through rocky terrain. Or he starts panting heavily and collapses. You don’t have a pet first aid kit. You’re far from home. What do you do? Pet First Aid 4U company founder Arden Moore says the most important thing to do is stay calm. That, and channel […]

]]>Your dog cuts his paw during a hike through rocky terrain. Or he starts panting heavily and collapses. You don’t have a pet first aid kit. You’re far from home. What do you do?

Pet First Aid 4U company founder Arden Moore says the most important thing to do is stay calm. That, and channel your inner “Mutt-gyver(tm)” by using items you are wearing or have within reach to use as makeshift pet first aid tools to stabilize your dog and transport him to the nearest veterinary clinic.

For example, protect yourself from a potential dog bite while treating your injured dog by fashioning your dog’s nylon leash into a muzzle restraint. Pluck out a bee stinger from your dog’s belly by using your credit card.

“Knowing what to do — and what NOT to do — in a pet emergency is critical,” says Moore, a nationally recognized pet first aid/CPR instructor and animal behavior consultant based in Dallas and San Diego. “That is why I started Pet First Aid 4U, because I wanted to teach people what to do in a real-life emergency, when it is unlikely that you have a pet first aid kit handy. I also developed my own curriculum because I wanted it to be customizable for specific pet professionals. My company does a lot of in-service training for pet sitting companies, dog daycares, grooming facilities and more. All these businesses have slightly different needs, and customizing pet first aid training to their work situations just makes sense.”

In classes taught throughout the country, Moore teaches the most current pet first aid techniques. Her classes are unique in that they typically feature her very own animals — her Pet Safety Dog Chipper and Pet Safety Cat Casey. Her four-legged assistants give students the chance to hone skills on a real dog and cat.

Already a best-selling author of more than two dozen dog and cat books, Arden Moore is on a mission to bring pet first aid techniques to the masses. “In our classes, we replace the panic pet parents feel with a can-do confidence, so pet parents can truly be their pet’s best health ally when minutes count,” says Moore. “We teach students to be ‘pet detectives.’ They learn to look for clues and then act quickly to stabilize, immobilize and transport their pets safely to the nearest veterinary clinic.”

After Moore wrote the training curriculum for Pet First Aid 4U, she had it reviewed by leading veterinarians across the country to make sure it was accurate and as up to date as possible. She was humbled by the fact that after reviewing her class curriculum, these same experts also wanted to endorse her pet first aid training classes.

“America’s Veterinarian” and best-selling author Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, says, “I highly recommend Arden Moore’s Pet First Aid 4U program. The curriculum contains the latest in pet first aid, taught by a passionate leader in the field of pet first aid and safety.”

Dr. Arnold Plotnick, DVM, a renowned veterinarian specializing in feline medicine at Manhattan Cats Specialists in New York City, was glad to see that Pet First Aid 4U classes address emergency and preventive care for cats. “There is no one more qualified than Arden Moore when it comes to educating pet owners about canine and feline first aid,” says Dr. Plotnick. “As the author of dozens of books on pet health and behavior, Arden is an invaluable source of information on keeping pets both physically and mentally fit.”

Dr. Mike LoSasso, DVM, an emergency medicine veterinarian in Dallas, adds, “As an emergency veterinarian, I wish my clients would do two things: insure their pets, and take a pet first aid course like the one offered by Pet First Aid 4U.”

Joining the Pet First Aid 4U team to concentrate on pet first aid classes in Boston and San Diego is Rob Nager, a veteran pet first aid/CPR instructor and founder of Decadent Dog, a full service pet care company. “I am so honored to be part of the genesis of Pet First Aid 4U program and look forward to working with Arden to substantially raise the bar in this important market segment,” says Nager. “Arden has produced an original pet CPR and first aid program that is leaps and bounds above any program I’ve seen to date.”

Moore and Nager are available to conduct classes to the public as well as in-service training to pet professional groups, including pet sitters, groomers, dog trainers, veterinary technicians and more. To learn more, please visit www.petfirstaid4u.com.

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/pet-first-aid-4u-prepares-you-to-handle-real-world-pet-emergencies-even-when-a-pet-first-aid-kit-is-not-handy/feed/0Meet Sister Marijon — On A Mission for People and Petshttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/meet-sister-marijon-on-a-mission-for-people-and-pets/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/meet-sister-marijon-on-a-mission-for-people-and-pets/#respondFri, 20 Mar 2015 19:03:08 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2287Move over, Broadway. The best Sister Act I know has been earning “paws and applause” every day in Chicago since 1983 far from any stage. For more than 30 years, Sister Marijon Binder and a team of dedicated volunteers have been on a mission to improve the lives of people, especially seniors, and companion animals, […]

]]>Move over, Broadway. The best Sister Act I know has been earning “paws and applause” every day in Chicago since 1983 far from any stage. For more than 30 years, Sister Marijon Binder and a team of dedicated volunteers have been on a mission to improve the lives of people, especially seniors, and companion animals, especially cats.

Her group, called Touched By An Animal and Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too, performs miracles of the heart by helping the elderly (and those struggling financially) keep their companion animals and finding lifetime homes for “tossed and found kitties.” These twin noble causes are made possible thanks to generous volunteers and donors.

“Cats are messengers of God,” Sister Marijon related to me during a phone conversation. “To each person touched by an animal, God’s message is clear: unconditional love makes life’s meaning dearer. To honor the bond, to rejoice in that truth is why we are here.”

I totally agree. That’s why I am honored to be the keynote speaker at this group’s Spring Books n’ Baskets Benefit Brunch set for 11 a.m. Sunday, April 19 at the Holiday Inn Ballroom, 5300 West Touhy Avenue in Skokie, IL.

The title of my talk is, “Life Lessons Unleashed from PhDs (Pretty Happy Dogs) and CEOs (Cats Extraordinaire).” After all, the secret to bolstering your health may be just a tail wag or purr away. I will unleash 10 life lessons from dogs and cats designed to improve you mentally, physically and emotionally.

Admit it. You are as curious as a cat – and as eager as a pup — to learn these secrets. This is my purr-sonal invitation to join us and aid this non-profit group so it can continue its mission.

This fundraising event will also include a unique gift boutique, theme baskets, a scrumptious lunch and the chance to purchase some of my autographed pet books with the proceeds going to this wonderful organization. Here’s your chance to get your paws on an autographed copy of my latest and best selling books. For feline fans, we offer The Cat Behavior Answer Book, Fit Cat and Happy Cat, Happy You. For dog lovers, we will have copies of The Dog Behavior Answer Book, Fit Dog, and Happy Dog, Happy You.

Reserve your spot at this event by April 13. Tickets are $48 per person or $90 per couple, $360 for a table of eight or $450 for a table of 10. Tickets are $55 at the door with an advanced reservation. To make your reservation, please email tba@touchedbyananimal.org or call (773) 728-6336.
This “Sister Act” may never win a Tony or an Oscar, but Sister Marijon and her group are true champions for people and pets in need.
To learn more, please visit www.touchedbyananimal.org. We will see YOU on April 19!

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/meet-sister-marijon-on-a-mission-for-people-and-pets/feed/0Learn Arden Moore’s “Mutt-gyver” Pet First Aid Tacticshttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/learn-arden-moores-mutt-gyver-pet-first-aid-tactics/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/learn-arden-moores-mutt-gyver-pet-first-aid-tactics/#commentsSat, 28 Feb 2015 20:38:46 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2278Dogster is the revamped Dog Fancy magazine that caters to the needs of 21st century dogs. I urge you to fetch yourself a copy by clicking here. And, as a special treat, here is the feature I wrote for this issue: As a master certified pet first aid instructor and the delighted pet parent to […]

Dogster is the revamped Dog Fancy magazine that caters to the needs of 21st century dogs. I urge you to fetch yourself a copy by clicking here. And, as a special treat, here is the feature I wrote for this issue:

As a master certified pet first aid instructor and the delighted pet parent to a pair of canines named Chipper and Cleo, I’m all about doing my best to keep them out of harm’s way.

Like many of you, I keep a well-stocked pet first aid kit in my home as well as a smaller version in my SUV. When we’re off on a long mountain hike or other outdoor doggy adventure, I pack a mini-pet first aid kit.

But even the most conscious of pet parents among us does not tote a pet first aid kit around 24-7. The sad reality is that injuries and illnesses in our dogs can occur any place, any time – and usually when our pet first aid kit is not nearby.

So, what do you do when your dog gets stung by a bee or cuts his paw on a walk in your neighborhood or suddenly collapses and stops breathing in your living room?

Don’t panic. Help is here. In my classes taught all around the country, I not only train people on the pet first aid basics (like rescue breathing, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, stopping arterial bleeds and more), but also how to unleash their creative “Mutt-gyvers” inside of them. By that, I refer to how to use everyday household items to stabilize and immobilize your dog until he can be safely transported to a veterinary clinic for professional treatment.

Mutt-gyver is my playful canine twist that refers to (and pays homage to) that action-adventure television show of the late 1980s and early 1990s called MacGyver. The show’s hero, Angus MacGyver, relied on his Swiss Army knife, duct tape, shoelaces and other common items within reach to escape from and foil bad guys each episode.

It’s time we used that same “think-outside-the-box” MacGyver mindset when it comes to rendering emergency pet first aid for our dogs. So, here are some situations and common items you may be wearing or have within reach to use as makeshift pet first aid tools:

• Dialing in the many safety features of your cell phone. In addition to taking a hands-on pet first aid class, I encourage you to download a pet first aid app to your cell phone today. Your cell phone is your No. 1 pet first aid tool. The app can provide step-by-step guidance to stabilize your dog. And during a serious emergency, such as if your dog has stopped breathing, you can perform CPR and talk to the nearest veterinarian via the speakerphone setting. Always alert the nearest veterinary clinic that you are en route and your ETA arrival so that they can prepare an exam room. Remember, in a serious pet emergency, every minute counts!

• Safely restraining your injured dog. Even the mellowest of mutts can bite when in pain, so heed Pet First Aid Rule #1: protect yourself first before rendering care. The 6-foot nylon leash can be used as a muzzle restraint to prevent your injured dog from being able to open up his mouth wide enough to bite you. This restraint enables him to still breathe.

The key is to form a noose and make the first tie on the bridge of your dog’s nose. Next, tie under the chin, then tie on the back of the neck below the ears and finish by threading one end under the first tie on the bridge of the nose looped back to the top of the head where you tie it in a bow (never a knot) Please see the photo of my dog, Chipper, sporting this makeshift leash muzzle restraint.

Other Mutt-gyver restraint options: For smaller dogs, you can use the drawstring from a hooded sweatshirt or your sneaker shoelace as a temporary muzzle. Belts may work in some circumstances. For dogs with short muzzles, like pugs, boxers and some pit bulls, consider restraining by rolling a thick bath towel around their necks and grip the ends behind their heads, lifting slightly up to prevent them from being able to open their mouths wide.

• Administering to cut paws. Here’s a lesson I learned a couple years ago when I was on a 6-mile hike with friends and their dogs. A 60-pound dog in our group named Katie badly cut her front paw midway through the hike. She was too heavy to lift on the rocky terrain for the three miles back to our base camp. So, I cleaned her paw with bottled water, used a bandana to apply pressure to stop the bleeding and left the folded bandana on the wound. I then wrapped her paw in a white crew sock (you could also wrap the paw in an unused plastic doggy bag) and tied it snugly using a friend’s hair tie. We were able to safely usher Katie back to camp and then on to the veterinary clinic for professional treatment.

Other Mutt-gyver options: If your dog badly strains or breaks his leg on an outing, limit his movement to prevent him from putting any weight on the injured limb. After applying a restraint muzzle, you can make a makeshift splint by using paint stirrers or Popsicle sticks as splints and wrapping the limb in a water bottle, newspapers or a magazine held in place with shoelaces or a bandana. Dogs too heavy to lift can be placed on your sweatshirt and dragged or carried in a sweatshirt sling.

• Treating bee or wasp stings. Bees, in particular, are driven creatures on pollinating missions. During the heat of the day, they often scurrying from low-level flowers and ground covers. You can reduce your dog’s chance of being stung by steering them away from ground cover on your leashed walks and making sure your dog heeds the “come back” cue from you so he doesn’t inadvertently poke his nose in a bee hive unleashed on a hike.

If you can see the stinger, slide the edge of your credit card or driver’s license against the stinger to usher it out. (Please refer to the photo of my dog, Cleo, going belly up to have me practice on removing a pretend stinger from her belly via my credit card.) Do not use tweezers or your fingernails to attempt to remove the stinger, because you will risk rupturing the poison sac. Keep your dog calm and take him to the veterinary clinic if the area swells and he develops breathing difficulties. If you do have an antihistamine available to give your dog, make sure that the only ingredient is diphenhydramine.

* Treating your dog who gets too hot or too cold. Unlike us, dogs perspire through their paws. On superhot days, keep your dog cool by dipping his paws in cool water. You can pour bottled water into your baseball cap if necessary. On cold days, coat your dog’s paws in petroleum jelly to prevent ice crystals or salt from cutting the paws. And heed the motto to “hug, not rub” to warm your dog who may suffer from frostbite. Place a small dog inside your winter coat to gradually warm up from your body heat. Wrap a large dog in a Mylar blanket, that lightweight shiny blanket that marathon runners and campers use to retain heat.

And, contact me about teaching veterinarian-approved, hands-on pet first aid/CPR/safety to you and your group. I often am accompanied by Chipper and Casey (my tolerant dog-cat teaching assistants) and we conduct in-service training for pet-related businesses as well as to the general public. Learn more by visiting my pet first aid site by clicking here.

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/learn-arden-moores-mutt-gyver-pet-first-aid-tactics/feed/4Paws Up for Pets: To endure first year with a young cat, embrace kitten’s viewpointhttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/paws-pets-endure-first-year-young-cat-embrace-kittens-viewpoint/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/paws-pets-endure-first-year-young-cat-embrace-kittens-viewpoint/#respondWed, 03 Sep 2014 18:48:17 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2239Credit the recent adoption of Casey, my orange tabby kitten, for inspiring me to address this topic for the monthly pet column I write for The Coastal Star, a must-read monthly in Palm Beach County. By Arden Moore Did you just adopt a kitten? To maintain your sanity, please repeat after me: I will […]

]]>Credit the recent adoption of Casey, my orange tabby kitten, for inspiring me to address this topic for the monthly pet column I write for The Coastal Star, a must-read monthly in Palm Beach County.

Did you just adopt a kitten? To maintain your sanity, please repeat after me: I will survive.
Yes, you will survive all the fun, folly and frustration that characterize a feline in his first year of life. I promise. And I’m living proof.
Recently, I adopted a spirited and affectionate male orange tabby from my local humane society. Casey is just 4 months old and weighs less than 5 pounds. As I was bringing him home, I realized that is has been 15 years since I’ve adopted any feline well under 1 year old.
The last time occurred in 1999 when I rescued an abandoned kitten from an apartment complex and named her Murphy Brown (she is now a spry 15 years old). To put that time duration into perspective, consider that in 1999, gasoline averaged just $1.22 per gallon, Mattel’s Barbie Doll turned 40, the hot movie was American Pie, and impeachment proceedings were being brought against President Bill Clinton. Facebook and selfies did not exist in our vocabularies.
Paralleling my crazy kitten antics are The Coastal Star’s publishers, Mary Kate Leming and Jerry Lower, who recently plucked a tiny orphaned kitten from a street near their Ocean Ridge home.
After being given a clean bill of health at the veterinary clinic, this 4-month-old brown-striped tabby named Pippi has soared up the ranks from mere office cat to become the newspaper’s CFO (that’s Chief Feline Officer).
For Leming, Lower and me, life for the next year will be anything but boring. Welcome to what I call the Wonder Year.
During the first 12 months of a kitten’s life, you will wonder where your tabby gets so much energy, why this surprisingly agile and athletic youngster decides to leap from the sofa to the recliner and, most importantly, if you will be able to maintain your sanity.
Repeat after me: I will survive. This magical first year may be filled with feline mischief and mayhem. But kittens do a body (and mind) plenty of good.
Among the benefits kittens bestow upon us:• They tap into our nurturing side. Fast-growing kittens need us to feed them healthy meals many times per day and to tutor them on proper litter box etiquette. In the case of Pippi, it has meant thinking literally outside the (litter) box for Leming, who has resorted to using a deep plastic storage tub as Pippi’s bathroom because of the feline’s quirky habit of standing up while urinating. The walls of conventional litter pans would not be high enough to contain this odiferous spray.
For Casey, I quickly switched to litter boxes with lids to keep him from gleefully creating litter confetti all over the floor.• They are not influenced by affluence. Anything and everything seems to be a prized toy for Casey. Sure, he enjoys the store-bought feather wand and trackball (a ball is inside a donut-shaped plastic toy with openings for a feline to paw to push the ball around in circles). But Casey equally loves flying in and out of a brown paper grocery bag and swatting any ice cube that drops onto the kitchen floor with the moves that would rival an all-pro hockey player. A crumpled paper wad is fetching fun for Pippi. She snoozes in a wicker basket under Leming’s office desk.• They embrace the power of play. Good luck trying to work for hours on the keyboard or engaging in marathon texting sessions on your phone. Kittens like Pippi and Casey will have none of that. Often without warning, they will dance across the keyboard, interrupting our thoughts and displaying gibberish on the computer monitors. But it is their reminder for us to not be all work.
As Leming notes, “I think Pippi is good for me because I have a tendency to stare at the computer screen intensely for a long time. I can’t do that anymore with Pippi around. She reminds me that I need to take breaks away from the keyboard.”• They make us tidier in the office and at home. Since Casey’s arrival, my kitchen counters and office work spaces are void of any lightweight object that can be swatted and sent soaring. Bathroom doors are kept closed to prevent Casey from unrolling the toilet paper down the hallway.
And in Leming’s case, she can no longer enjoy the simple pleasures of sipping water from a glass or trying to eat a sandwich at her desk. “If you aren’t looking Pippi will stick her nose in my water glass or try to steal my sandwich,” notes Leming. My advice: Switch to spill-proof beverage containers with lids and feed your kitten before bringing out any lunch food to limit this feline thievery temptation.
Pippi, Casey and frisky, fun-loving kittens everywhere view each day — heck, each moment — as opportunities to be enjoyed and embraced. The biggest lesson I’ve learned from Casey is to live in the me-now and not fret over past mistakes or ponder future possibilities. Thinking like a kitten offers more values than one may realize. And I promise: You will survive the Wonder Year.Arden Moore, founder of FourLeggedLife.com, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author, professional speaker and master certified pet first aid instructor. Each week, she hosts the popular Oh Behave! show on PetLifeRadio.com. Learn more by visiting www.fourleggedlife.com.

]]>http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/paws-pets-endure-first-year-young-cat-embrace-kittens-viewpoint/feed/0In Tribute to Zeki the Cool Cathttp://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/tribute-zeki-cool-cat/
http://www.fourleggedlife.com/uncategorized/tribute-zeki-cool-cat/#commentsMon, 25 Aug 2014 19:33:57 +0000http://www.fourleggedlife.com/?p=2220Dear Friends: Zeki the Cool Cat, who miraculously survived being skinned with a hunting knife as a sweet stray to become a certified therapy pet and a very tolerant pet first aid demo cat, crossed over into feline heaven on Saturday. Though she didn’t quite make her sixth birthday, she accomplished much in her short […]

Zeki the Cool Cat, who miraculously survived being skinned with a hunting knife as a sweet stray to become a certified therapy pet and a very tolerant pet first aid demo cat, crossed over into feline heaven on Saturday. Though she didn’t quite make her sixth birthday, she accomplished much in her short life.

In her travels with me, I observed that she never seemed to have met a stranger or felt like she was in a strange place. She would enter a hotel room and confidently leap up on the king-sized bed and find a comfy spot to snooze after a long drive. She traveled by car and by plane, visiting people in eight states.

Zeki partnered with me as co-keynote speakers at the Pet Sitters International conference in North Carolina; me-WOWed attendees at Blog Paws in Las Vegas, met canine celebrities like Tillman the Bulldog while sampling products at Super Zoo and even helped me open a dog park in Carlsbad, Calif. And during two Cat Writers Association conferences, she plopped in a cushiony chair – sans a leash — to meet and greet old and new friends and even attend a couple happy hours.

Among our favorite memories:

* Enjoying a “date” with Jackson Galaxy, host of “My Cat from Hell” on Animal Planet. He describes Zeki as “My Kitty from Heaven.”

* Playfully “crashing” a book signing event for dogs and dog lovers for Dr. Marty Becker, on a national tour for the release of his latest dog book.

* Wowing Victoria Stilwell, dog trainer extraordinaire, at the Del Mar pet expo where we were all featured speakers. As she held a calm Zeki in her arms while circled by a pack of confused canines Victoria declared: “This is the best cat ever!”

* Bringing joy to a terminally ill gentleman in a wheelchair whose sister brought him to a national cat show in Del Mar to specifically meet Zeki, who was giving pet first aid demos. Ignoring all the loud speaker announcements and the throngs of people, Zeki calmly sat on this man’s lap and purred for more than 30 minutes. As he stroked Zeki’s soft coat, he began to speak softly to her and smile.

* Meeting Hall of Fame pitcher Orel Hershiser at SuperZoo. He was autographing baseballs to admirers and personalized one for Zeki and commented: “I do believe this is the first time I autographed a baseball for a cat.” Zeki showed no outward excitement.

* Tracking down a sweet senior named Edwina in Dallas with the help of Zeki’s foster parent, Dusty Rainbolt. Edwina and her sons heard painful cries from under a porch and discovered a bloodied Zeki after being attack with a hunting knife. Despite being on a fixed income, she wrote a check for $1,000 to help toward’s Zeki’s medical bills. Zeki and I were able to present her with flowers and thank her in person a few years later.

* Hanging out at home with the other members of our Furry Fab Four: dogs, Chipper and Cleo and her older feline sib, Murphy — with regular visits from her canine cousins: Stanley, Buddy, Jeanne, Maddie and Gracie.

I have had cats all my life, but Zeki was special in so many ways to so many people, cats and yes, even dogs. This petite Turkish Van mix had a special way of bringing joy out in others, including a few who confessed that they “never liked” or “never really understood” cats until they met Zeki — and they looked forward to each time they got together with her.

For the past few months, Zeki’s health declined. She lost weight, became blind and then had difficulty breathing. We made frequent trips to our veterinarian, consulted veterinary specialists. Despite ultrasounds, comprehensive and repeated blood and urine testing, various medications and lots of love and prayers, we could never pin down what she had. Lymphoma, rabbit fever and histoplasmosis were among the top contenders behind her mystery disease. Please forgive me for not posting her medical woes publicly as it has been a very emotional roller coaster ride for me and my pets. We were blessed to have a core of friends during this time, including Dr. Lorie Huston, Nedra Abramson, Jocelyn Shannon, Mark Winter, Cathy Conheim, Dan St. James, Flo Frum, Jill James, and my family – Deb, Kevin, Karen, Alicia, Chrissy and Andy.

My ache due to her passing is beyond words. So, I try to focus on the gift that was — and always will be — Zeki. I selected that Turkish name because it translates to “clever and courageous.” She was both. Zeki loved, loved, loved deli turkey and knew a fresh supply was always in the refrigerator where she would “guide” me often.

She drew admiration and astonishment from many of our pet first aid students due to her leaping up on the demo table on cue, permitting strangers to brush her teeth, check her capillary refill and wrap her in a towel like a purr-ito. She taught classes in yoga studios, homes and even dog boarding kennels and never hissed once at a dog startled to see a cat in a canine hangout. And forever in my class presentations will be a short video clip of her doing chest compressions on a stuffed demo dog to illustrate that even cats know how to perform CPR.

Some cats live nine lives. Zeki lived 18 lives– plus. She taught me many life lessons, including to live in the Me-NOW. For those of you fortunate to have a special pet in your life — the one we refer to as “heart dogs” or “heart cats,” remember to celebrate each and every day you get to spend with them on this planet.